Microsoft Yammer vs. Facebook Workplace — What's the Difference?

Microsoft Yammer and Facebook Workplace are tools designed to enhance collaboration and communication within organizations. Microsoft Yammer, part of the Microsoft 365 suite, functions as an enterprise social network, allowing employees within a company to connect, share, and discuss. Facebook Workplace, on the other hand, is Facebook's venture into the corporate world, leveraging its familiar interface to offer a platform where teams can communicate, collaborate, and share updates similar to how they would on the standard Facebook platform.

A significant distinction between Microsoft Yammer and Facebook Workplace is their integration capabilities. Microsoft Yammer seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products, such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, providing a unified Microsoft ecosystem experience. Facebook Workplace, while offering integrations with third-party apps, capitalizes on its familiarity, aiming to provide an intuitive experience for users already accustomed to the Facebook interface.

Microsoft Yammer emphasizes "communities," which are groups where employees can have conversations, share files, and collaborate on various topics. These communities can range from departmental groups to interest-based groups. Facebook Workplace, meanwhile, has a "groups" feature similar to regular Facebook groups, where discussions occur, and updates are posted. Live video broadcasts and chat functionalities are also prevalent in Workplace.

From a user experience perspective, Microsoft Yammer offers a layout that's distinct from mainstream social media, focusing more on corporate social networking. Facebook Workplace, conversely, provides an experience very reminiscent of the standard Facebook platform, making it instantly familiar to a vast number of users.

Security and compliance are essential for both platforms, given their corporate focus. Microsoft Yammer benefits from Microsoft's robust security protocols and compliance certifications. Facebook Workplace, understanding the concerns some might have given Facebook's consumer product's history, has made significant investments in ensuring data protection, security features, and compliance standards for its corporate users.